Shloka 6.51.18

धूम्राक्षप्रेषणम् (The Dispatch of Dhūmrākṣa)

Devanagari script

एवमुक्त्वातुसङ्क्रुद्धोनिश्श्वसन्नुरगोयथा ।अब्रवीद्रक्षसांमध्येधूम्राक्षंनामराक्षसम् ।।6.51.18।।

Transliteration

niṣphalāḥ khalu saṃvṛttāḥ śarāḥ vāsuki-tejasaḥ |

adattaṃ yais tu saṅgrāme ripūṇāṃ jīvitaṃ mama ||6.51.17||

Translation

Truly, those arrows—brilliant as Vāsuki—have proved fruitless; for by them, in battle, the lives of my enemies should have been taken.

Context

Having said so, hissing Ravana called Dhumraksha to the midst.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Vāsuki
• Rāma (implied as enemy)
• Lakṣmaṇa (implied as enemy)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma asserts that unjust intent undermines efficacy: weapons and brilliance cannot guarantee results when opposed by righteous destiny and disciplined virtue.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa laments that the powerful arrows associated with Indrajit’s assault did not accomplish their expected lethal purpose.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is rakṣaṇa of dharma (protection of righteousness) on Rāma’s side: even formidable attacks fail to end the righteous mission.